Resident Alerts Cops To Morris Car Theft Suspects, Who Are Caught After Chase: PD

FLORHAM PARK, NJ — An alert Florham Park resident tipped police off to the location of four suspects they were trying to locate, as officers were investigating a possibly stolen car. State Police and several other Morris County agencies helped borough police track down the suspects, three of whom officials say are juveniles.

This is just one of several recent suspected auto thefts in the community, and police are reminding residents to be mindful and vigilant.

Florham Park Police said that early Sunday, patrols saw a potentially stolen vehicle driving on Gregory Drive. The driver of the vehicle reportedly fled from officers, who began a search.

Meanwhile, police said a resident on Kenneth Court saw four male suspects trying to get into her backyard. She yelled at them out the window before calling 911 to tell police where they were, police said.

Local officers established a perimeter with the help of other police departments in Morris County, and the State Police Aviation Unit was called in to help search. Heat-seeking drones were also used to find the suspects.

Two of the suspects were located hiding in the woods near Brooklake and Briarwood Schools. When police approached them, one told police that one of the two remaining suspects had a gun, police said.

Officers continued searching for the other two, locating one along Briarwood Road and the other along Crescent Road. Police located a BB gun along the path the suspects took, officials added.

Police said three of these suspects were minors, and one had an extensive criminal history; all three were charged and released to their parents.

The fourth suspect was an adult "with a lengthy criminal history," whom police are holding in the Morris County Correctional Facility.

Police Chief Joseph Orlando thanked state police, the sheriff's office, and other Morris County departments for their teamwork in apprehending the suspects.

"I also have to thank the resident of Kenneth Court, whose vigilance and timely reporting to the Police was critical to our officers establishing a sound perimeter, which contained the suspects, allowing other assets to respond and assist," he said.

Florham Park officers have also arrested several people recently, including those believed to have gang affiliations, after discovering they had fake temporary registrations on the car. Officers also found an electronic key-programming and key-cloning device recently, Orlando said.

He added that the officers have shown their commitment to duty and their diligence in investigating these recent crimes.

"Their efforts occur continuously every day and night with the interest of our resident’s safety and security in the forefront of their motivations," he said. "Please take a moment when you see them to thank them for what they sacrifice for the benefit and safety of our community."

This week, Morris County officials announced that $963,000 in federal dollars has been earmarked for purchasing more automated license plate readers to combat auto theft and home invasions in local neighborhoods.